Creating opportunities for fun and friendship

Using volunteers to deliver inclusive leisure activities

iLEAP works with people aged from 4 years and over and delivers a children's programme, a youth programme and an adult programme of inclusive leisure activities. ILEAP members generally have a mild/moderate learning disability although anyone with additional needs is welcome to join.

The inclusive leisure activities are chosen by the ILEAP members and include day trips, cookery clubs, music, drama and sports. Taking part helps to build confidence, raise self-esteem and promotes independence and activities are user led and personalised for the individual. The difference it makes to young people with additional needs is expressed regularly by the participants and their families with comments including:

• My son really enjoys the adult sessions at the pub and the meals. He is doing what other young people would do at his age but with a little support and they always have a brilliant time with brilliant staff. Thank you.
   
• Many thanks for the continuing service, which is fun and safe. The choices are vast, something for everyone!
   
• Thank you as always. Our daughter is benefiting enormously from the social interaction and enjoyment that ILEAP provides.
   
• Again, an amazing year and selection of activities for young people to choose and enjoy in a safe, friendly environment, with excellent staff. We are so lucky to have ILEAP in our area, catering for disabled people. Their social life is so very important to them.

"Funding from the Town Trust has enabled ILEAP to lay the foundation so that we can empower the local community to volunteer in a safe and innovative way. It is amazing that we can now safely include volunteers into our programme. It adds to the inclusivity and vibrancy of our sessions and has made a massive difference to our members and the sustainability of our work."

Peter Bazelely, CEO of iLEAP